RESIDENTS have shared their "disbelief" after a North East garage used traffic cones to park their vehicles in the middle of a major road.
Those in the area have slammed O'Connor's Garage on Durham Road, Sunderland, for the brazen behaviour, which has seen vehicles dumped in the right-hand lane.
It comes as a dispute between locals, the council and the garage remains ongoing after concerns over safety were first raised back in 2020.
Read more: Cars STILL illegally parking on problem Durham Road in Sunderland
Cars parking on double-yellow lines, the cycle path and even the left-hand lane, have been among a string of issues reported outside the premises.
For the past fortnight, Sunderland City Council contractors have been working to investigate and clean a drainage system, opposite the garage.
That has meant the right-hand lane of the busy stretch of road has been coned off, with contractors working through the day to carry out the work.
Read more: Drivers left 'confused' by A1231 markings on Sunderland road
However, furious residents have said vehicles from the garage are using the lane as a car park once contractors finish for the day, and at weekends when they are not working.
Capturing various moments on camera, they provided The Northern Echo pictures showing how the parking situation has "deteriorated" on Durham Road.
In one image, captured by a dashcam, cars can be seen parked on either side of the road, leaving drivers forced to carefully navigate the junction.
Meanwhile, another image shows a company-branded low-loader with what appears to be a customer's car left parked in the roadworks.
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Describing the situation, one resident said: "The garage have just been using it as a car park - it's on another level of p*** taking."
"People in the area can't believe they are doing it and getting away with it, it's just unreal."
Another resident said: "They've been using the roadworks cordoned area and parking cars there.
"They've even been double parking on the cycle track and causing drivers difficulties in getting past."
Sunderland City Council has previously been accused of allowing the garage to park vehicles on the double-yellow lines outside the premises, and in some cases blocking disabled access at a pedestrian crossing.
Saying that the routine build up of illegal parking could one day cause a "deadly" crash, they have previously urged the council to take action against the business.
Read more: Council warned of potential 'crash' over illegally-parked cars at Sunderland garage
In response to the latest concerns, Sunderland City Council branded the move as "disappointing" and described the illegal parking as "potentially dangerous."
A council spokesperson said: “It was disappointing and potentially dangerous for O’ Connor’s to use the lane closure for parking, and we are looking into why the cones weren’t removed following the drainage surveys, which were completed on Friday.
"The council’s Parking Services team continue to visit this location and issue tickets when appropriate.
"We are considering measures to improve the parking at this location and a detailed design is currently being drawn up for consultation.”
Northumbria Police said it is working with the council to tackle "irresponsible" drivers who cause an obstruction.
A police spokesperson said: “We’ll continue to work closely with the council to tackle irresponsible motorists who cause an obstruction or hazard on our roads.
“We would always encourage anyone who sees a vehicle parked in a dangerous position or blocking a road to report it to us.
“Traffic contraventions, such as a vehicle parked on double yellow lines, should be reported to the relevant local authority.”
O'Connor's Garage could not be reached for comment.
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